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Hello All,Of late there's been much chatting on the subject of RF Albation. Has anyone had it done with Osteoarthritis as the culprit for their pain?

Which doctors are qualified to perform this procedure? I thought I read once where a physiatrist is the one to see for this.

As always, thank you for the input.

georgia

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11 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:RF AblationHello All,Of late there's been much chatting on the subject of RF Albation. Has anyone had it done with Osteoarthritis as the culprit for their pain?

Which doctors are qualified to perform this procedure? I thought I read once where a physiatrist is the one to see for this.

Just had one done yesterday. This is my fourth. The first time they couldn't get the probe through the crushed vertabrae so it didn't work. The second time I had some success. The third time I had fantastic results. The fourth time was 24 hours ago and I'm still sore!

I think (not sure) that usually a pain managment doctor trained to perform the RF Ablation does them. Mine have all been from Anesthesiaologists that are PM specialist, but I don't know if the extra training is limited to any one type of doctor?

My opinion of the procedure is: If PT and other treatments such as steroid injections don't give you releif it's worth giving it a try. Prior to the RF Ablation you will have to undergo an Anelgesic never block which will test to see if you are a good candidate for the RF procedure.

Talk to your doc and listen to him.

Tim

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:RF AblationJust had one done yesterday. This is my fourth. The first time they couldn't get the probe through the crushed vertabrae so it didn't work. The second time I had some success. The third time I had fantastic results. The fourth time was 24 hours ago and I'm still sore!

I think (not sure) that usually a pain managment doctor trained to perform the RF Ablation does them. Mine have all been from Anesthesiaologists that are PM specialist, but I don't know if the extra training is limited to any one type of doctor?

My opinion of the procedure is: If PT and other treatments such as steroid injections don't give you releif it's worth giving it a try. Prior to the RF Ablation you will have to undergo an Anelgesic never block which will test to see if you are a good candidate for the RF procedure.

Hi georgia I have had many done due to facet disease after the injections the pain came back - Mine were done through the anesthesiologist / pain management specialist.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:RF AblationHi georgia I have had many done due to facet disease after the injections the pain came back - Mine were done through the anesthesiologist / pain management specialist.

georgia I wouldn't say it was unsuccessful, the facet injections are what didn't work. That is why they did the RFA's. My RFA's were done for my facets and that pain is gone.

The pain that I have now is in my hips and SI joints due to Ankylosing spondylitis or from what I understand it is called osteoarthritis. I also have severe tendonitis in both my knees and ankles. I can't forget my RSD is acting up in my right ankle as well complicating things right now.

I am sorry but I never heard of the Drs doing RFA's for osteoarthritis, where or what part of the back to they do that?

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:RF Ablationgeorgia I wouldn't say it was unsuccessful, the facet injections are what didn't work. That is why they did the RFA's. My RFA's were done for my facets and that pain is gone.

The pain that I have now is in my hips and SI joints due to Ankylosing spondylitis or from what I understand it is called osteoarthritis. I also have severe tendonitis in both my knees and ankles. I can't forget my RSD is acting up in my right ankle as well complicating things right now.

I am sorry but I never heard of the Drs doing RFA's for osteoarthritis, where or what part of the back to they do that?

Sorry to hear of your pains, Debsbears. My doctor's office is offering RFA on the Osteoarthritis in my lumbar spine. I also have Fibromyalgia so it may be difficult locating the right area(s) to treat. The way I feel, I'd authorize them to do the entire lower back.

How long have you been pain-free?

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Report This| Share this:RF AblationSorry to hear of your pains, Debsbears. My doctor's office is offering RFA on the Osteoarthritis in my lumbar spine. I also have Fibromyalgia so it may be difficult locating the right area(s) to treat. The way I feel, I'd authorize them to do the entire lower back.

RFAs are on the nerve ganglion. If you look at a branch on a tree you often see a knot where the tree leaves the trunk. The ganglion is where a nerve branch leaves the spinal cord. This is importnt as CNS injuries rarely heal while periphial nerves often do. The ganglion, being inbetween behaves thusly. It may never heal (pain free forever) or it may heal back rather soon. Everyone is different and it depends on how well the probe is placed and how much nerve is burnt.

Lots of variables...damn human body.

Tim

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Report This| Share this:RF AblationRFAs are on the nerve ganglion. If you look at a branch on a tree you often see a knot where the tree leaves the trunk. The ganglion is where a nerve branch leaves the spinal cord. This is importnt as CNS injuries rarely heal while periphial nerves often do. The ganglion, being inbetween behaves thusly. It may never heal (pain free forever) or it may heal back rather soon. Everyone is different and it depends on how well the probe is placed and how much nerve is burnt.

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